Choosing the Right Puppy

Getting a new puppy is truly exciting for the family. Dogs are loyal and loving companions and they bring a lot of joy into your life. However, you should be selective while choosing the right puppy. While selecting the puppy be sure you have enough knowledge of various dog breeds. You can choose from a large variety of dog breeds, ranging from tiny Chihuahuas to huge Great Danes. Each dog breed has its own distinct characteristics.

Choosing the Right Puppy

You would first want to consider the available space at home before going in for pet adoption. If you live in an apartment you can go for small terrier breeds such as Yorkshire Terriers and the Miniature Schnauzer. If you have children, then avoid selecting the breeds of too small such as Maltese or Chihuahuas. These breeds are very delicate and may be accidentally injured by young children. On the other hand, very huge dogs such as Saint Bernards or Boxers can unexpectedly cause harm to your children. Hence, it is better to consider medium sized breeds such as Lhasa Apsos or Fox Terriers.

The next factor you should consider while choosing the puppy is how much exercise you can give your dog. If your home has a fenced yard, then your dog can get some exercise on his own. Some dog breeds in the Herding, Hound or Sporting groups are highly energetic. You should spend enough time to provide them with more intense exercises.

Lastly, take into consideration the grooming needs of each dog breed. Some dog breeds need only a half hour grooming once in a week. Some breeds including Maltese or Poodle need an hourly grooming in a day. Breeds such as Whippets or Boston Terriers are a good choice for those who can’t spend much time for dog grooming.

Once you have chosen the dog breed, consider its age. Many people opt for a cute, little puppy instead of an adult dog. The puppies quickly become housebroken and can be easily trained. Adult dogs are already housebroken and trained.

Different Dog Breeds

Dog breeds are categorized in different groups such as Hound, Working, Terrier, Gundogs, Utility, Toy and Pastoral. If you are planning on hunting with your dog, then you should consider the sporting breeds such as Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever. These breeds can be easily trained and are perfect for a more active lifestyle. Many people prefer dogs from working group such as Siberian Husky, Bullmastiff, Rottweiler, Giant Schnauzer or Akita. Nowadays, toy dogs such as Shih Tzu, Pug, Maltese and Pomeranian are very popular. These breeds are a perfect choice for the apartment dwellers. If you belong to a farm and livestock, then you can consider Australian Shepherd, Shetland Sheepdog, Border Collie or German Shepherd in the herding group.

Before choosing any dog breed, know about its specific characteristics. When you own a dog, you need to train it so that it adopts skillful habits. Some of the most difficult to train breeds are Shih Tzu, Borzoi, Bloodhound, Bulldog, Chow Chow and Basenji. Some of the most intelligent breeds are Poodle, Labrador Retriever, Rottweiller, Border Collie and Doberman Pinscher.

Take your own time while choosing the right puppy and enjoy its pleasurable company for years.